Canto Contigo

 

My Thoughts:

I realize that I have a lot of 4-star books. I also realize that I have not given 5 stars. 5 stars of any genre are saved not only for culturally relevant books, but books that I would buy as textbooks for my methods class. 5-star books are mentor texts. However, this is a GREAT book. I want to say that I enjoyed it. I believe that the author, Jonny Garza Villa, has a writing style that is easy to read. The characters are complex and also swoon worthy. The author is able to bring readers in for a light, romcom-y tale while also using words as political weapons to break stereotypes within the Mexican and Mexican American community. In the first Villa book I read, Ander & Santi Were Here,  the author takes on immigration and undocumented workers, including the stereotypes and vitriole other Mexican Americans feel toward the undocumented. 

In this book, the author examines the power of Mexican music, and more specifically, mariachi. But perhaps examine is not the right word. The author sheds light on the fact that mariachi, as a traditional art form, is also  queerphobic, transphobic, and racist. Rey and Rafie are courageous enough to shine unapologetically in mariachi. The two rivals-to-lovers are a lot, they are too much, but in a good way. Rafie is extra, extra, extra. He is arrogant, entitled, and as the author describes, Rafie has a god complex. However, Rey may seem like the more passive pair, but Rey is stronger than anticipated. 

This was a celebration of queer love and the passion of mariachi. This was a celebration of grief and family strength. This was a celebration of friendship. I don't know if universities with Spanish studies and Spanish arts like mariachi exist in the United States, but I hope they do exist. 

From the Publisher:

When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he expects to be handed his new group's lead vocalist spot―what he gets instead is a tenacious current lead with a very familiar, very kissable face.

In a twenty-four-hour span, Rafael Alvarez led North Amistad High School’s Mariachi Alma de la Frontera to their eleventh consecutive first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional; and met, made out with, and almost hooked up with one of the cutest guys he’s ever met.

Now eight months later, Rafie’s ready for one final win. What he didn’t plan for is his family moving to San Antonio before his senior year, forcing him to leave behind his group while dealing with the loss of the most important person in his life―his beloved abuelo. Another hitch in his plan: The Selena Quintanilla-Perez Academy’s Mariachi Todos Colores already has a lead vocalist, Rey Chavez―the boy Rafie made out with―who now stands between him winning and being the great Mariachi Rafie's abuelo always believed him to be. Despite their newfound rivalry for center stage, Rafie can’t squash his feelings for Rey. Now he must decide between the people he’s known his entire life or the one just starting to get to know the real him.

Canto Contigo is a love letter to Mexican culture, family and legacy, the people who shape us, and allowing ourselves to forge our own path. At its heart, this is one of the most glorious rivals-to-lovers romance about finding the one who challenges you in the most extraordinary ways.

Publication Information:

Author: Jonny Garza Villa

Publisher: Wednesday Books (April 9, 2024)

Hardcover length: 352 pages